PATEL, Mahesh (Mike)

Mahesh "Mike" Patel 9/16/1955 - 7/5/2010 was tragically taken from us by a vicious and senseless act of violence on July, 5, 2010, though we know his soul has been freed into heaven. He was born on September 16, 1955 in Ahmedabad, India, where he grew up, married and raised his family. He worked at the Ahmedabad Electric City Co. for 15 years. He was an outgoing and respected member of his community. Proof of his devotion to family took the form of 15 immediate and extended family members living in one household under one roof. In 1998 he left India to join his brothers in Tucson to run Catalina Market. Mike's friendly and very personal style of doing business included greeting customers by name, assuring their unique needs were met, and caring enough to listen to their issues and stories. His infectious sense of humor and joyful laughter made it a pleasure to be in his store and turned loyal customers into friends. The generous and trusting character of Mike and the Patel family helped create a bond of community in the neighborhood-a rare achievement. For those who have known and loved him, we mourn the loss of a genuinely good and decent human being. But Mahesh Patel, a devout and principled man, would want us to rise above our deep sorrow and despair (like the kites he loved so much) and keep aloft in our lives the legacy of his beautiful spirit through kind and unselfish actions each and every day. He is survived by his loving wife, Jaxaben; daughter, Swetal; son, Adil; brothers, Jayntibhai (Jay), Bhupendrabhai (Peter); sister, Shardaben. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY AND CEMETERY.